Tom Apple, AS ’82/PhD, formerly vice provost for administration, dean of graduate education and professor of chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., is the new dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Arts and Sciences.

 “Tom Apple brings excellent experience and outstanding qualifications in teaching, research and administration to his new position. President Roselle and I are confident that the College of Arts and Sciences will flourish under his leadership,” Provost Dan Rich said. “And, it’s a special pleasure to welcome back a UD alumnus to this important position.”

Apple earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. After receiving his doctorate in physical chemistry from UD in 1982, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at Iowa State University from 1981-83. His wife, Anne, AS ’81/M, is a veterinarian.

He joined the chemistry faculty at the University of Nebraska as an assistant professor in 1983 and was named an associate professor there in 1988. He became associate professor of chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1991 and was named a full professor there in 1997. He chaired the department of chemistry from 1997-2001, when he was named dean of graduate education. The following year, he gained the title of vice provost for administration.

In a July interview with UDaily, Apple said as dean he would like to provide a transformational experience for every student who comes through the college.

“I personally was really transformed by my time here. It’s why I feel passionate about the University of Delaware,” he said. “When I came here to go to graduate school, I really didn’t have a clear path. I changed here. I got excited about what I was doing. I worked with a fellow who was a young assistant professor just starting out when I came here—Cecil Dybowski [professor of chemistry and biochemistry], who’s still here.

“So, for me, Delaware was a transformational experience, and that’s why I’d like to make sure that we transform our students, that we do something that excites them and makes them passionate about something. I’d like to see that happen for every student who comes here.”

Apple pointed out that the College of Arts and Sciences plays a part in the education of every student at the University. “There isn’t a single student who comes here who doesn’t take some classes in our college. And, of course, about half of UD students major in one of the fields in arts and sciences. So, we have an especially important assignment,” he said.

Apple said he noticed a change on campus whe he returned to interview for the position of dean. “The thing I noticed most, that hits you as soon as you step on campus, is the attitude. There’s a confidence, an optimism and a can-do attitude that I noticed when I came back here six months ago. The campus is more beautiful now, and I think academically, the University has grown tremendously.”

There are probably many factors involved, he said. “You have to figure there’s good leadership. The University knows where it’s going. It’s decided to focus on certain things, and when people know where they’re expected to go, they tend to get there.”

Another goal of his deanship, Apple said, is to recruit, retain and mentor the best faculty. “I think it all starts with the faculty. To have a great university, you have to have a great faculty, so getting our top choices in faculty and making sure that those we hire thrive—that we retain and mentor them—that’s critically important.”

“One of President Roselle’s great achievements has been making sure that faculty salaries remain in the upper quartile,” Apple said. “That’s a real strong attracter of faculty, and it helps retain them, as well.

“That’s really the heart of it. Great faculty create great, compelling programs that attract the best students.”

Apple’s research, in zeolite materials and polymeric materials, has been funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, as well as support from the National Institutes of Health and others, and he is the author or coauthor of 55 articles in professional journals.

The College of Arts and Sciences, UD’s largest college, is organized under the dean, with three associate deans responsible for departments and programs in three general areas—arts and humanities (eight departments), social science and history (six departments) and natural science and mathematics (10 departments).

In fall 2004, the college’s enrollment totaled 8,303, with 7,041 undergraduate students and 1,262 graduate students.